Happy Meal boxes are getting a virtual reality* (VR) makeover. To celebrate the McDonald’s staple turning 30 years old in Sweden, restaurants in the country will be giving away boxes that will transform into virtual reality headsets.

    Children will be able to play virtual reality games or watch videos while tucking into their chicken nuggets. The iconic Happy Meal box will transform into a VR set when it is folded in a new way and a smartphone and some VR lenses are slotted in.

    “The lenses come with the Happy Meal,” said Alexandra Svenonius from McDonald’s Sweden.

    Child psychologists Karl Eder and Fadi Lahdo have evaluated the Happy Goggles and given a recommendation* as to how they should be used.

    “New generations are growing up in a world where smartphones and tablets are a part of our ordinary life,” Eder and Lahdo said.

    “The VR goggles* open the door to virtual worlds, which of course is very exciting. This step might come more natural for children than for adults. It creates an opportunity for adults to learn from the children’s knowledge and experience. The gaming can also be a good, joint activity that makes it easier to hang out on equal terms.”

    Around 3,500 of the goggles will be made available at 14 restaurants on weekends for the price of a Happy Meal, about US$4.1.

    McDonald’s is also launching a VR skiing game, endorsed by the Swedish National Ski Team called “Slope Stars,” a 360-degree ski experience allowing the user to virtual ski and learn how to stay safe on the slopes.

    Jeff Jackett, Marketing Director at McDonald’s Sweden, said, “The Happy Meal is one of our most loved menus and therefore an appropriate* platform for reaching out to our family customers through experiences that focus on playing and learning.We believe that many people will enjoy the fun skiing game with the new Happy Goggles.”(SD-Agencies)